Steelers' Desmond King II Needs To Be Comfortable In The Defense Before He Makes His Defensive Debut

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed cornerback Desmond King II near the end of the 2023 preseason with the intent for him to make an impact. So far though, that hasn't happened. The rumor mill has been trying to find out if it was an injury that had kept him from playing defensive snaps in 2023, but the truth is much less drastic. King, like many who come into the Pittsburgh defensive schemes, simply needs time to learn the playbook.

Steelers' Desmond King II Eager, But Patient In Preparation

King was brought in, many believed, to fill the weaker position of slot cornerback, especially with Pittsburgh's hesitancy to bring any of their rookies on too fast. However, with three weeks of 2023 under their belts, not only has King not played a role in any of the contests, he was only on the field for one of them (Week 3 against the Raiders), and even that was only for special teams.

For some, the worry was that he was a casualty of numbers when the Steelers were deciding who to suit up on game day. Others wondered if he was simply being outplayed and thus hadn't earned the defensive snaps as of yet. Neither of those is the case, at least according to Pittsburgh's Defensive Coordinator, Teryl Austin.

"I like Dez. I think Dez is working. It's like anything when you come from another system, there's certain things and details that you have to get used to that may be different from where you came from. That's the biggest thing with him."

Of all people, Austin would be the one who would know what is necessary to get King from practicing for the game to being on the field itself come game day. It's a long season, and at some point, the 2023 Steelers will need King to step up, and when they do, everyone will be grateful that he was prepared rather than rushed.

Steelers Happy With King, But Have A Standard

King knows what NFL success looks like; after all, he was First Team All-Pro in 2018. That being said, Austin also knows what he's talking about regarding a player acclimating himself to another team's system. Pittsburgh's defense is carrying the load right now, and both Austin and King have enough experience not to rock that boat by unnecessarily rushing him to the field.

"I think he's smart. He's tough. He had a hat [last week]. So we're hopefully accelerating him and keeping him going. And at some point, we'll see him on the field."

Whether you are a rookie or a seven-year NFL veteran like King is, there is only one way to make it onto a Steelers defensive squad; you earn it. Right now, the margin for error on the 2023 Steelers is incredibly thin. The offense looked like they started to get their sea legs in the Week 3 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, but there is still plenty of room for that group to grow. That means even more pressure is on the defense, not only to prevent offenses from scoring, but to put points up on the board themselves.

Pittsburgh's secondary has come up with four interceptions in their three games, each one just as needed as the rest to put together the 2-1 record that Pittsburgh boasts so far in 2023. There is no question that King has the kind of experience that the Steelers want on the field. However, when you consider where King would be best suited on defense - the slot cornerback position - you also have Joey Porter Jr. waiting for snaps. Austin has a great deal of moving parts, and right now, there isn't a place for King just yet.

Whether by necessity due to gameplay or injury, King will have his chance to show why the Steelers signed him. Until then, the best thing he can do is continue to immerse himself in everything about Pittsburgh's defense.

Do you think Desmond King II should finally play defensive snaps in Houston? Comment below!

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